At Auckland branch meetings of New Zealand Society of Authors there’s usually a spot called “Literary Moments” – a writing competition on a given topic – the emphasis usually on fun. Here’s my response to “a short piece or poem on the topic Other People’s Lives”. This was my (winning) entry – composed in just a few minutes and just for fun! Other People’s Lives Other people’s lives are wonderful Other people’s lives are great! I have such fun working out the lives Of characters I create. I can make them rich or make them poor Or make this one play the fool And that one a tragic heroine Be benevolent or cruel. I can lead them up the garden path Or maroon them out at sea I can make them die a painful death ‘They’re mine – so it’s up to me. Whoever they are they stay with me Once they exist they are real I live their lives vicariously Whatever they feel, I feel. An author’s power is limitless In our hands we hold the fate Of the characters that we devise And the lives that we create.

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